49ers excited about Super Bowl … in New Jersey

After NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday that Super Bowl L would be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in 2016, members of the 49ers’ bid committee popped champagne amid hugs and high-fives.

Meanwhile, the news inspired a lower-decibel response from the game’s possible participants, who had just completed their first OTA practice of 2013. Three months after losing in a Super Bowl, the 49ers are, indeed, focused on the NFL’s biggest game. But it’s Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J. – not the golden-anniversary contest that will be played at their yet-to-be-completed, $1.2 billion stadium in 33 months.

“It’s not a big deal right now – we’re focused on this season and getting to this year’s Super Bowl,” fullback Bruce Miller said. “It’s nice. It’s going to be exciting for the fans and the community, but right now we’re focused on this year and the next Super Bowl.”

Said wide receiver A.J. Jenkins: “Honestly, my focus is just on OTAs right now. I’m not thinking about the Super Bowl … I’m not all into that right now.”

Given the nature of their 9-to-5 jobs, the lack of excitement is understandable. After all, even if the 49ers play in Super Bowl L, much of their current roster could miss out: Of San Francisco’s 22 projected starters, 12 aren’t signed beyond the 2014 season.

Safety Donte Whiter, who is entering the final year of his contract, isn’t guaranteed to even play in the new stadium when it opens next year. But as construction continued Tuesday on the team’s state-of-the-art future home, Whitner, speaking about 100 yards away from the site of Super Bowl L, said the 49ers would get excited about that 2016 game. Eventually.

“We’re excited about this football season, but then it gives us something to look forward to going into the following football season,” Whitner said. “Being able to be out here every day and see them work, it gives us a lot more excitement.”